Traders from Beverley say an event held at Wednesday Market to help promote local produce and try pull more people to the town centre was a success.
Fantastic weather coupled with the Easter Holidays help ensure the first of six ‘Local Produce Markets’ got off to a perfect start.
Sally Hawks from White Rabbit Chocolatiers speaking about the event told HU17.net;
“Being part of the Local Produce Market is really important to us and something we are very pleased to support. Being here has also given us an opportunity to raise awareness of our brand and the products we offer and sell right here in Beverley.”
Based on Dyer Lane White Rabbit Chocolatiers are highly regarded for the quality chocolates that produce and sell. Sally’s son Ed who is involved in the business added;
“Our chocolates are very delicate. We need a good stand and shelter in order to sell them outside. What the council has done today is put all the right infrastructure in place by providing decent stalls, without them, we could not have been here today.”
Linsey Mitchell, the Events and Marketing Manager at Hull Pie echoed Ed’s feelings. Hull Pie trades every week on Wednesday Market but said the fact the stalls were set up made life a lot easier.
Speaking to HU17.net Linsey said;
“Normally, we have to set a stall up before we can start trading. To arrive here and be able to just set out our stock and get going was a massive help.”
“This event has had a huge impact on trading, as you can see there are lots of other quality producers. Markets like this give customers the chance to speak to the people producing the food, so they know exactly what they are buying.”
Helen Watson, the Town Clerk at Beverley Town Council said demand for the stalls had been so high that they have a waiting list, speaking about the event she told HU17.net;
“As part of the scheme we put in the right infrastructure that the traders need to work outdoors. We got in a company to come along and put all the stalls up.”
“Given the links we have built up with over the years with local food producers, we were able to pull this off. You have traders from Grimsby, Lincoln, Hull and of course Beverley.”
“We were inundated with applications so over the coming months we will be rotating the stalls to give everyone a fair chance and to keep things fresh.”
“What has also helped is the support we got from the shop keepers in the town. They have all been very supportive in promoting the event and spreading the word.”
“One of our goals is to create a pleasant environment that is also user friendly so people can enjoy their visit to Beverley.”
The next Local Produce Market takes place at Wednesday Market on 13th May and will be open from 9am until 3pm.
